How Can I Get Myself to Exercise?

The secret to staying motivated--for life

"I started working out 2 weeks ago, but I still find it hard to get out of bed an hour earlier every morning. How long before working out feels like a habit I'm not going to break?"--Gail Rodbard, Lansing, MI

Hang on! It usually takes about 1 month of regular exercise before your routine starts becoming second nature. "At that point, your hard work will all seem worthwhile," says Walter R. Thompson, PhD, a professor of kinesiology, health, and nutrition at Georgia State University. The reason: That's how long it takes for your mind and body to adapt to your change in schedule--and for you to start noticing results, including weight loss and increased strength and energy.

To ensure you'll make it to that all-important 30-day marker (and well beyond), it helps to slowly transition into your exercise program, Thompson says. So instead of going from zero workouts to a 7-day-a-week routine, he suggests committing to just 4 days of exercise. As you start to see physical changes, increase your frequency, but always take a midweek break. "Not working out on Wednesdays gives you a breather to look forward to, but at the same time, you're exercising enough to make a difference," he explains. It's also smart to recruit an exercise buddy or attend a regularly scheduled fitness class; research shows that both of these strategies can make you more accountable and motivated.